Nigeria will lose more revenues from energy exports once Niger Republic starts generating her own electricity, it was gathered at the weekend.

Aside Niger Republic, the country, according to the Federal Ministry of Power, exports electricity valued at between $582 million and $665 million annually to countries such as Togo, Chad, and Benin Republic.

It exports between 350megawatts (Mw) and 400 Mw of electricity daily  to those countries, with a view to generating more revenues and meet their energy needs.

Speaking on the side of a stakeholders forum in Lagos,  the Technical Director, Consistent Energy Limited, Mr Mohammed Etti, said Nigeria’s export earnings would dip  further once Niger Republic starts generating  electricity.

He said: “If Nigeria allows Niger Republic to dam River Niger at Fouta Djullion for her own electricity needs, the country would  not be able to export electricity to Niger Republic and that would go a long way to reduce Nigeria’s earnings.”

He said the countries  which import energy from Nigeria  enjoy stable power supply while the country is constantly plunged into darkness.

Nigeria, he said, sells electricity at commercial rates to  these other countries, adding that the country is yet to enjoy value proportionate to her efforts.

The Ministry of Power had quoted  the Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN), Mr Usman Mohammed, as saying the country exports 80 per cent of her electricity to other countries in West Africa to improve power supply to the sub-region.

He was quoted to have said the issue is inhibiting the growth of the economy, as well as making it difficult for Nigeria to realise her potentials.

Nigeria generates less than 5,000 Mw despite efforts by the Federal Government to grow the sector.